Do women do better in a recession?

Female managers just might have an edge in a rotten economy, says the author of a new book. Here's why, and how men and women can learn from each other's strengths.

NEW YORK (Fortune) by Anne Fisher -- There's one sure-fire way to start a heated argument, whether around the water cooler or at a dinner party: Just say something that suggests women manage very differently from their male peers. Then stand back and watch the fireworks.  

Controversial or not, it's clear that women are doing something differently: Of the roughly 6 million Americans who have lost their jobs since the recession started in December of 2007, 80% are men, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. No doubt, a big part of the reason is that men tend to dominate in the cyclical businesses which have been decimated by the downturn, including manufacturing, construction, engineering and finance. Female-dominated fields like nursing and education have been less hard-hit, at least so far. 

To read more of this article click here..

Sushi Anyone?

If you like sushi as much as I do... (mmm.. is it too early in the morning to order some spicy tuna rolls?), you may be interested to learn how Chef Nobu built his sushi Empire. He survived "fire and bankruptcy on the route the culinary independence".

Click on the highlighted link below for the full article.

By Nobu Matsuhisa, as told to Maggie Overfelt

CNN: Money  How Chef Nobu built his sushi empire

Gimme 5..

Five of my favorite business books.

Here is what I suggest for those who need some inspiration, direction and business advice.

1) Jack Welch's : Jack Straight from the Gut

I love Jack Welch.  I think he is so inspirational.

2) Blue Ocean Strategy

A book about taking your company/product/service and moving it into a new uncontested market place.   

3) Jim Collin's:  Good to Great

Discover what will take your business to the next level. 

4) Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business.

I am in the middle of this book right now & I think it is great.   For someone who is not naturally "tech-savvy" this book has provided a lot of insight that I can (and will) apply to Melissa Beth Designs.

5) The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur.  

I am not going to lie, I have not read this book yet.  But I have been reading his blog and viewing his videos.   This guy has some great advice- he knows his sh*t.! (get it!?)   

You should check out his blog.  

Toilet Paper Entrepreneur (what a catchy name!)

You can still be stylish in a recession

You can still be stylish in a recession... and you should be!   

I am sure it is proven somewhere that you feel better about yourself when you look good.   I call it the "look good, feel good" philosophy.   I was a heavy subscriber to this philosophy during my undergraduate and post-graduate years.   I used to make sure when I had to take an exam I wasn't wearing the yucky sweatpants I had been studying in for days, but was dressed nicely.   I think it helped increase my confidence on exams and major tests.   It definitely helped me looked studious and, when necessary, I was better prepared to flirt with my professors.  (Just kidding- as a women studies minor, they were mostly female professors!)   

Even today, I still apply the "look good, feel good" philosophy.  When I am feeling like I am too tired to get out of bed and be my creative and business savvy self I get dressed in my favorite outfit or wear something that inspires me (which is usually fashion) and I am instantly in a fresh headspace so I can conquer the world. 

In today's economy we need be working harder and feeling good can be the missing link to your competitive edge.

So, in these times it is important that you take the extra time to do whatever it is so you can feel good about yourself.   Just because the economy is drab, doesn't mean you have to look drab.